The agreement was reached on January 16 during the first session of the Joint Committee on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation between the governments of Vietnam and Spain taking place in Hanoi.

In the cultural field, Vietnam and Spain will increase cooperation in theatre, music, dancing, book publishing, film making, museum works, and intellectual property and copyright.

Regarding education, both nations will boost the exchange of teaching programmes and visits by experts between schools, universities and research institutes.

During the session, the two sides also discussed the exchange of information on scientific and technological policies of the two countries and the cooperation between the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam and the Youth Institute of Spain.

Over recent years, Vietnam and Spain have organised various cultural exchange activities, including the "Vietnam Culture Day" in Madrid and Barcelona as part of Festival ASIA, as well as a Spanish music concert, fine art exhibitions and a Spanish film week in Vietnam.

The Vietnam-Spain cooperation programme for the 2007-2009 period is scheduled for signing on January 18.

VNA